In order for us to create an effective Soap trailer it is important that we research into plots and stroylines of Soaps that already exist. By doing this it means that we will be able to create a trailer which seems more realistic as we have looked into the types of plots and stroylines that make the viewer intrigued and hooked on each episode and make them want to continue watching week after week or day after day. Researching existing plots and storylines also means because we are only creating a Soap trailer that its important that our trailer contains some of the most dramatic and exciting parts of the episode and often not giving away the main part but just a taster. They like to leave the audience with a cliffhanger.
Typically most Soap Operas are an emphasis on family life, sexual dramas, personal relationships and emotional and moral conflicts. Fitting in with these characteristics most Soap Operas follow the lives of a group of characters who live and work in a particular place. Here is where they basically lead their whole lives throughout every episode and the viewers follow what they do. This way it means that the audience feels as though they are gaining a relationship with the characters and therefore become connected and feel like they must watch the next episode to find out what will happen to them.
Generally Soap Operas have alot in common. Usually the plots and storylines that are used are fairly similar and can relate. For obvious reasons a Soaps storyline must have elements which keep the viewer intrigued and wanting to watch more. Although they are usually about a family or group of people leading their everyday lives a Soap will generally contain a twist which makes the storyline of their lives less plain sailing than an average persons.
For example many Soaps explore social realist storylines such as family discord, marriage breakdown, or financial difficulties. Soaps also feature elements of comedy to lighten up an episode its not usually something like slapstick comedy but generally the Soap will feature a humerous character who will often lighten up the episode and storyline in some sort of way. Another popular storyline of a Soap would be romance, secret relationships and extramarital affairs. These are often used as these can be used as continuous storylines that will go on for perhaps a period of a few months with a small bit of that particular plot being feautred in each episode. Because of the way that they are often on going storylines it keeps the viewer once again hooked and wanting to find out what happens to the characters.
Soaps will often use crime as an ongoing storyline. For example they may contain muder plots, drug dealings, kidnappings and rape. Sometimes even murder is unpunished if the perpetrator is to be retained in the ongoing story. By not punishing or sentencing the perpatrator of the crime gives the producers of the Soap something to carry on with throughout further episodes. This means that big main characters will not be wiped out and therfore audiences are stil interested in what is going on and how they are fitting into society after commiting such a sin. Another way in which the perpatrator is brought back into the Soap after doing something like rape or murder is by using dramatic irony. For example this is where the viewers of the Soap are aware of what is going on and know who has committed what crime but the other characters perhaps the family members or close friends are unaware of what is going on. This way everything is a secret and kept like that for a long while. In the meantime the Soap carries on with other storylines and every so often will flashback and make elements of hinting about what has happened until there is a build up. Then the drama begins as one by one everyne finds out and once they do and the big secret is out that is perhaps where punishment is given.
Saturday, 10 October 2099
Thursday, 8 October 2099
Analysis of Soaps: Coronation Street
Similarly to EastEnders, Coronation is to an award winning Soap, set in the heart of Manchester, within the fictional location of Whetherfield within the factual area of Salford. The Soap was first broadcasted on December 9th 1960, following production at the hands of creator Tony Warren. It is currently the longest running Soap Opera in British history, due to a number of factors though of course.
In a style similar to that of EastEnders, Coronation Street is set in an urban area, namely the fictional area of Weatherfield. The area is self is thought to be located within the general location of Manchester, due to a number of references and smaller hints such as the postcode being related to Manchester City. When creating our Soap, we will try to implement these smaller hints into it if and where it is applicable. Of course, it would be inapropriate to involve these features when it isn't neccesary, as it will come accross as being clichéd and for that matter, random.
As previously mentioned, Coronation Street is set in the fictional location of Weatherfield and its surrounding areas, which to an extent plays homage to the local area, as well as attracting the audience by providing a location that they can relate to. For instance, in terms of location, Weatherfield has the typical Codes and Conventions of a Soap, in that it is centralised around a set number of characters, whom each have their own unique life and for that matter, affluences. The general ethos behind Coronation Street of course is the fact that it is effectively a working class Soap, that comes with it's own working class characters and for that matter, it's own working class jobs. The Rovers Return Inn is the centralised area in which that the Soap takes place around, a typical Code and Convention os Soap dramas. To an extent the Rovers Return effectively acts as a Sphere of Influence in that it is a centralised location that the characters focus around and to an extent, what they adapt their lives to. For example, it's very common within the Soap for their to be characters visting the pub throughout the day, and meeting fellow characters. For instance, accross the road from the pub is a number of workplaces that use the Rovers Return as their primary location in which they meet others, and discuss and enhance story lines. The locations around the pub are:
- Underworld - A factory in which a number of characters work producing clothing.
- The local Café - Owned by Roy and Hayley, to of the most notable characters within the Soap.
- The shop - Owned by Norris and Rita - Two of the Soaps oldest members.
These locations often play home as work to new characters. For instance, a newer character known as Becky was hired by Roy to work at the local Café when she came to the area looking for work, once again higlighting the fact that this is a working class Soap, whereas in Emmerdale, it is more common for soap characters to move to the Yorkshire dale as a holiday location that to seek a job.
In a style similar to that of EastEnders, Coronation Street is set in an urban area, namely the fictional area of Weatherfield. The area is self is thought to be located within the general location of Manchester, due to a number of references and smaller hints such as the postcode being related to Manchester City. When creating our Soap, we will try to implement these smaller hints into it if and where it is applicable. Of course, it would be inapropriate to involve these features when it isn't neccesary, as it will come accross as being clichéd and for that matter, random.
As previously mentioned, Coronation Street is set in the fictional location of Weatherfield and its surrounding areas, which to an extent plays homage to the local area, as well as attracting the audience by providing a location that they can relate to. For instance, in terms of location, Weatherfield has the typical Codes and Conventions of a Soap, in that it is centralised around a set number of characters, whom each have their own unique life and for that matter, affluences. The general ethos behind Coronation Street of course is the fact that it is effectively a working class Soap, that comes with it's own working class characters and for that matter, it's own working class jobs. The Rovers Return Inn is the centralised area in which that the Soap takes place around, a typical Code and Convention os Soap dramas. To an extent the Rovers Return effectively acts as a Sphere of Influence in that it is a centralised location that the characters focus around and to an extent, what they adapt their lives to. For example, it's very common within the Soap for their to be characters visting the pub throughout the day, and meeting fellow characters. For instance, accross the road from the pub is a number of workplaces that use the Rovers Return as their primary location in which they meet others, and discuss and enhance story lines. The locations around the pub are:
- Underworld - A factory in which a number of characters work producing clothing.
- The local Café - Owned by Roy and Hayley, to of the most notable characters within the Soap.
- The shop - Owned by Norris and Rita - Two of the Soaps oldest members.
These locations often play home as work to new characters. For instance, a newer character known as Becky was hired by Roy to work at the local Café when she came to the area looking for work, once again higlighting the fact that this is a working class Soap, whereas in Emmerdale, it is more common for soap characters to move to the Yorkshire dale as a holiday location that to seek a job.
Analysis of Soaps: EastEnders
EastEnders is an award winning soap set in London, or to be more specific in the East End of London, hence the title given 'EastEnders'. The Soap Opera first began production in 1984, after the initial concept was formulated into a series by Julia Smith and Tony Holland, the programmes creators. As any good writers do, they used what they knew in order to create an appealing Soap Opera, that still runs today; 25 years later. Tony Holland grew up in the East End of London, in much the same environment as EastEnders is set, and as such on many occasions explained that the characters represented within the Soap are based upon former neighbours, if not a slightly more dramatic representation. This is a perfect way in order to attract an audience, as a real life counterpart is someone that the audience can relate to as they may well know of similar people in their lives. When creating our Soap Opera, we will likewise use much the same format, as this has as previously mentioned worked very well for EastEnders over the last 25 years.
The set of EastEnders is of course in the East End, however internally, the show is based upon the fictional area of Walford. Although being a fictional location, the fact that the name sounds like an actual believable place creates a sense of realism that the audience can relate to, which is a highly important Code and Convention of Soap Operas that is essentially required for any Soap to become successful and for that matter, popular. Within Walford is Albert Square, another fictional location, however it has been given a good amount of back history, to once again connect the audience to the location. For example, Albert Square was named after Prince Albert and constructed in the early 20th Century as a tribute location. Coincidentally, Prince Alberts wife was Queen Victoria, which happens to also be the name of the local pub in the area. These perks of interest may well seem trivial, but they are essential in building a relationship with the audience, not to mention the fact that they are a major part of Codes and Conventions involving Soaps. There are also a number of other locations spread through Albert Square, most notably:
Minty's Car Garage,
The Queen Vic(toria),
The Minute Mart,
The Launderette
And the Café.
These locations all attribute to the Codes and Conventions of a Soap Opera in that the characters effectively need locations for them to meet, and therefore form relationships that the audience can relate to, thus creating a connection between the Show and the audience. Without these locations, the Soap would likely fail, as meeting between Characters would be simply by chance, rather than arranged meetings. When creating our Soap drama, it will essential for us to find an area which has a relatively similar layout to that of Albert Square so that we conform to the pre-established Codes and Conventions of Soap Operas.
Character wise, there are currently 48 active characters within EastEnders, with 10 characters considered as 'recurring'. Of course, the creation of our Soap will not require anywhere near this amount of characters, although there will be a need to create a good sense of diversity in order to create an interesting and watch-able show. For example, within EastEnders there are a range of races represented, and age groups, namely:
The Slater household, whom represent a typically non-nuclear family, in the sense that their are unique relationships between characters. For instance, Kat Slater, claims to be the sister of one character, although is revealed as the mother, due to child abuse when she was younger.
The Masoods however represent a typically Muslim culture within the soap. However, they do oppose this stereotype to an extent in the sense that although in Muslim culture Homosexuality is forbidden, one son, namely Syed Masood who is revealed to be homosexual following an an econuter with fellow character, caucasian Christian.
The set of EastEnders is of course in the East End, however internally, the show is based upon the fictional area of Walford. Although being a fictional location, the fact that the name sounds like an actual believable place creates a sense of realism that the audience can relate to, which is a highly important Code and Convention of Soap Operas that is essentially required for any Soap to become successful and for that matter, popular. Within Walford is Albert Square, another fictional location, however it has been given a good amount of back history, to once again connect the audience to the location. For example, Albert Square was named after Prince Albert and constructed in the early 20th Century as a tribute location. Coincidentally, Prince Alberts wife was Queen Victoria, which happens to also be the name of the local pub in the area. These perks of interest may well seem trivial, but they are essential in building a relationship with the audience, not to mention the fact that they are a major part of Codes and Conventions involving Soaps. There are also a number of other locations spread through Albert Square, most notably:
Minty's Car Garage,
The Queen Vic(toria),
The Minute Mart,
The Launderette
And the Café.
These locations all attribute to the Codes and Conventions of a Soap Opera in that the characters effectively need locations for them to meet, and therefore form relationships that the audience can relate to, thus creating a connection between the Show and the audience. Without these locations, the Soap would likely fail, as meeting between Characters would be simply by chance, rather than arranged meetings. When creating our Soap drama, it will essential for us to find an area which has a relatively similar layout to that of Albert Square so that we conform to the pre-established Codes and Conventions of Soap Operas.
Character wise, there are currently 48 active characters within EastEnders, with 10 characters considered as 'recurring'. Of course, the creation of our Soap will not require anywhere near this amount of characters, although there will be a need to create a good sense of diversity in order to create an interesting and watch-able show. For example, within EastEnders there are a range of races represented, and age groups, namely:
The Slater household, whom represent a typically non-nuclear family, in the sense that their are unique relationships between characters. For instance, Kat Slater, claims to be the sister of one character, although is revealed as the mother, due to child abuse when she was younger.
The Masoods however represent a typically Muslim culture within the soap. However, they do oppose this stereotype to an extent in the sense that although in Muslim culture Homosexuality is forbidden, one son, namely Syed Masood who is revealed to be homosexual following an an econuter with fellow character, caucasian Christian.
Analysis of Soaps: Emmerdale
Similarly to Eastenders and Coronation Street, Emmerdale is an award winning soap set within the dales of Yorkshire, hence Emmerdale. Emmerdale uses relatively similar codes and conventions previously outlined by manyu other soaps, yet does differentiate these, albeit it primarily on location. Most major soaps tend to be set in urban areas, as stereotypically this where most of the audience originates from and thus means that they have far more to relate to within the characters and their location. This theory is based upon national statistics which show that the majority of the British opulation live within sub-urban or urban areas and as such are going to be inclined to the way of thinking present within these districts. Emmerdale however is not set and located within an urban environment and is in fact set in the Yorkshire dales and thus would theoretically attract a seemingly different audience. This is where Emmerdale shines with the fact that it not only attracts people who live in rural areas, but it also attracts people from urbanised locations. This is primarily due to the fact that people get the chance to feel like they're escaping city lfie and become centralised around the rurual characters and structures.
Despite distinct filming differences, Emmerdale still makes use of the typical codes and conventions present in Soaps such as Coronation Street, Eastenders and that of Hollyoaks. These coes and conventions being the fact that ther community is relatively close together not just mentally and relationship wise, but also in a physical sense. For example, Coronation Street has the Rovers Returns as its local pub, and Emmerdale likewise has the Wolpack.
The layout of the village itself is perfect in terms of its layout, having locations such as:
- The Pub
- The Café
- The Local industrial works
- The Corner Shop
- Launderettes
Although this may not sound like a great deal of locations, it is effectively all that is needed to create a well liked and workable soap. For example, each one of these locations will have various people not only in charge of them, but those that work at the locations or for that matter simply visit them. This then broadens out as people related to those people then potentially visit the location and thus you have an active soap which is constantly being refreshed with new faces.
Character wise, Emmerdale has relatively modern characters considering the location. Stereotypically it is not uncommon for their to be characters that are very conservative in their approach to life due to effectively being isolated (to a certain extent) from the rest of the more industrialised world. Jack Sugden is a perfect representation of being in his mid-50's and having pretty conservative views upon the world, bearing in mind that he owns and runs a farm and as such is very protective of it considering that it effectively been his life work. Unlike Eastenders and Coronation Street, the cast reprsented within Emmerdale is relatively white and for that matter, British. This is likely to be to do with the fact that in order to move into the countryside you have to be relatively wealthy, and stereotypically members of ethnic miniorities are not of wealthy backgrounds. As such, this is seemingly well presented by the Soap and it's location
Despite distinct filming differences, Emmerdale still makes use of the typical codes and conventions present in Soaps such as Coronation Street, Eastenders and that of Hollyoaks. These coes and conventions being the fact that ther community is relatively close together not just mentally and relationship wise, but also in a physical sense. For example, Coronation Street has the Rovers Returns as its local pub, and Emmerdale likewise has the Wolpack.
The layout of the village itself is perfect in terms of its layout, having locations such as:
- The Pub
- The Café
- The Local industrial works
- The Corner Shop
- Launderettes
Although this may not sound like a great deal of locations, it is effectively all that is needed to create a well liked and workable soap. For example, each one of these locations will have various people not only in charge of them, but those that work at the locations or for that matter simply visit them. This then broadens out as people related to those people then potentially visit the location and thus you have an active soap which is constantly being refreshed with new faces.
Character wise, Emmerdale has relatively modern characters considering the location. Stereotypically it is not uncommon for their to be characters that are very conservative in their approach to life due to effectively being isolated (to a certain extent) from the rest of the more industrialised world. Jack Sugden is a perfect representation of being in his mid-50's and having pretty conservative views upon the world, bearing in mind that he owns and runs a farm and as such is very protective of it considering that it effectively been his life work. Unlike Eastenders and Coronation Street, the cast reprsented within Emmerdale is relatively white and for that matter, British. This is likely to be to do with the fact that in order to move into the countryside you have to be relatively wealthy, and stereotypically members of ethnic miniorities are not of wealthy backgrounds. As such, this is seemingly well presented by the Soap and it's location
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